A great listen

This is 2 stores, both have intrigue, mystery love and passion but also treachery and deception.

The stories are well written and have very good narration.

Well worth listening too.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

The Secret of Studborne Abbey

This is a very entertaining mystery & romance. I enjoyed this duology. The two titles are 'The Lady's Guide to Deception and Desire' and 'The Lady's Guide to Scandal'. In the first one, Rosamund is on her own taking care of her mother and adorable dog, Pompom. While at their stay at the Abbey, Rosamund starts to learn that things are a bit spooky. In the second one, Cornelia Mortmain sounds like she is in for it pretending to be a couple with Ethan Burnell. Some parts of each of these stories show how one can spin some tricks to get what one wants. Both stories are expertly narrated with some nice music and natural scenery sounds that definitely help pull ya in and shape the visualizations.

I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Great stories to enjoy!

The Lady’s Guide to Deception and Desire: 5 ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was so captivated by this story that I had to finish it once I'd started. Great characters and storyline! I loved everything about it!

The Lady’s Guide to Scandal: 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can’t go wrong with a story about a fake engagement. I really liked how Ethan and Cornelia met. It’s great how this one book, The Lady’s Guide to All Things Useful, is playing a part for the female main characters in all these stories.

The narrator (Gareth J. Davies) was awesome and the sound effects made both stories even better.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Wonderful, atmospheric Victorian romantic mysterie

I simply loved both of these romantic mysteries. They are set in the Edwardian period and so reminiscent of stories of old. Having said that, there is nothing old or staid here. There is light, wryful humour throughout . The writing itself is atmospheric and the wonderful sound affects certainly enhance the scenes. I am in awe of the narrator in being able to create such different characters so that I was totally absorbed and knew who was speaking instantly. I highly recommend both the story and the performance.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Mystery & Intrigue at the Turn of the Century!

These 2 books were Wonderfully written and narrated, with great sound effects!
I love a good story with strong Female Main Characters.
These books did not disappoint.
I have loved them so much that I didn't want them to end!
The Narrator did a fantastic job! Just absolutely wonderful!
I can hand on my ❤️ recommend.
I will say in book 1 'it' was worth the wait. Such innocence!
Treat yourself to 2 Grand turn of the century adventures when these 2 women where not afraid to voice their minds.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Two Stories in One Audiobook

This audiobook contains two stories from The 'Lady's Guide' series by Emmanuelle de Maupassant. 'The Lady's Guide' series are standalone stories connected by 'The Lady's Guide To All Things Useful' book, which gives tips and pointers to the characters in both novels.

**The Lady's Guide To Deception and Desire** is a gothic historical audiobook set in the beautiful, but eerie Studborne Abbey. This story is quite spooky and mysterious and definitely had an unsettling atmosphere.

Rosemund is a young woman without financial stability hoping to find a wealthy man to marry. Rosemund meets Mr Benedict Studborne, impoverished nephew of a Duke, and while her heart is taken with him, she believes her future should be with the widowed Duke. Does the Duke wish to marry however, or is his mind and heart elsewhere? Could there be something sinister afoot at the Abbey? And can 'The Lady's Guide...' offer any help for Rosemund?

This story had alot in it, a ghostly feeling, grief and madness and was very engaging, entertaining and had me guessing throughout what the outcome of the story would be. I really enjoyed the growing attachment and love between Rosemund and Benedict, and I would definitely recommend to lovers of historical romance fiction.

**The Lady's Guide To Scandal** is a light-hearted and witty fake-engagement historical story.

Ethan (brother of Rosemund from the above book) is a famed archaeologist returned from overseas and newly arrived at the museum that Cornelia is connected to via her father. Cornelia has been unlucky enough to have been involved in scandal twice, and is hoping for a quiet and calm life to continue her study of historical artifacts. Meddling family on both sides, however, have different ideas. Ethan comes up with an excellent idea that they should be fake engaged, to make life easier. A stay at Studborne Abbey is just the thing to help with these plans.

A sometimes funny, and definitely entertaining audiobook, this story allows the charade to play out, while also some mysteries within the Abbey are discovered. An enjoyable romantic, feel-good listen. I really loved it.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Gothic style historical romance and mystery

The Secret of Studborne Abbey includes two of "The Lady's Guides To..." by Emmanuelle De Maupassant:

The two stories have a lovely connection, The Lady's Guide to Deception and Desire is the story of Rosamund Burnell who is forced to turn to deception to avoid destitution. In The Lady's Guide to Scandal, we meet archaeologist, Ethan (Rosamund's brother). Two historical romances that make a wonderful duo but can also be read/listened to as standalone novels.

Disowned by her father, Rosamund Burnell and her mother are forced to turn to deception to avoid becoming destitute. When they meet Benedict Studborne, nephew to Lord Studbourne, and he invites them to stay at the wonderfully gothic and mysterious Studborne Abbey they see a potential end to their troubles.

However, their deception entangles Rosamund in Lord Studborne's web of lies spun from the all-consuming grief over the death of his wife, Violetta.

Benedict and Rosamund struggle with their desire for each other, but can Benedict forgive Rosamund's deception, and can she convince herself and her mother that love is the only thing that matters.

A Lady's Guide to Scandal is my favourite Lady's Guide so far and Cornelia and Ethan are my favourite characters from the series too, and I fell in love with her delightful aunts, Blanche and Eustacia.

Cornelia is determined to make her way in the world despite being an outsider in society thanks to her philandering husband, and her runaway mother.

Cornelia and Ethan Burnell, an archaeologist are brought together at the beginning of the story (although not for the first time in their lives) at the museum both believing that the other is trying to steal an exhibit relating to the Palekmul temple, found on Ethan’s recent travels.

Cornelia finds herself agreeing to a fake engagement and attending a festive party at Studborne Abbey. As the couple try to keep up the pretence of being deeply in love the abbey starts to give up its own secrets about its chilling and dark past.

This story is bursting with romance, love, passion, humour and mystery!

Both stories completely swept me into a different era, and I could easily imagine myself being either of the strong-willed but charming Rosamund or Cornelia.

Gareth Davis is an excellent narrator and very engaging to listen to and the sound effects are a wonderful addition.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

An entertaining story with engaging characters

The lady’s guide to deception and desire 4*
This was an entertaining read with some likeable characters. Who couldn’t fail to love the character of Benedict Studborne. He was so endearing, albeit a little shy but was able to step up to the mark when required. Rosamund was trying to get herself and her mother out of a fix. She did some a little impulsive and didn’t always think through her actions. There were some strange events at Studborne Abbey and Rosamund is determined to find out what was happening. There are some dangerous actions and passionate moments.
A lady’s guide to scandal 5*
This, too, was a very entertaining read. I did like the character of Cornelia, who wanted to be able to take control of her own life. She was tired of people organising her life for her. I was glad to see her come into her own and not accept less than she desired. Ethan Burrell, an explorer, with a charismatic personality, had known Cornelia in childhood. They were attracted to each other but Ethan had made a promise to himself that might affect their relationship. The comments of Cornelia’s two aunts were hilarious and brought a smile to my face.
The narrator had an easy voice to listen to. He brought the characters to life by changing his tone and accent for the different people. I enjoyed the sound effects, especially those of the ocean. It made me feel as though I was by the sea!

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Delightfully Eerie

The Secret of Studborne Abbey is a delightfully eerie pair of stories about siblings from Texas who come to England and find mystery, adventure, and love. Gareth J. Davies’ s wonderful narration and the sound effects made listening to this duet quite enjoyable.

The Lady’s Guide to Deception and Desire is a true gothic tale that includes a grief maddened duke, secret passages, crypts, mysteries, ancient rituals, murder, and, of course, a hero to the rescue. Rosamund and Benedict have quite an adventure on their way to happily ever after.

In The Lady’s Guide to Scandal, Ethan has come from Texas to London for an exhibition of his archaeological finds. He meets Cornelia Motmain, who works at the museum where the exhibit will take place. Their engaging story is filled with characters who are unbelievably charming, including her match-making aunts, and the entertaining events at a fun and chaotic party.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

The secret of Studborne Abbey

I was absolutely shocked to find that there was a further audible story to listen too. I enjoyed every word that the narrator spoke and the sound effects were a complete change and enhancing the story and making it sound mysterious and sometimes scary. The auditor was Gareth Davies Who told the tale magnificently. The both books are
Written beautifully and both stories are told so that there is no fear of missing anything.. or
Thinking that you have heard something wrong. Every word is clear and the story flows beautifully. Thank You so much Miss Maupassant I loved these tales.
Ppp

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!